Police block a road in the Sydney suburb of Mosman, Thursday, Aug. 4, 2011, where Madeleine Pulver was chained to a fake bomb for 10 hours. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

(Newser)
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Whoever chained a fake bomb to 18-year-old Madeleine Pulver’s neck must have been well-read. The perpetrator left behind a ransom note that was signed “Dirk Struan”—the protagonist of James Clavell’s 1966 novel Tai-Pan, which told the story of two warring businessmen during the 1842 Opium War, MSNBC reports. Pulver’s father is the CEO of an IT company.

The note's author instructed Pulver to contact him online and not to contact police, threatening to blow up the neck device if his orders weren’t followed. It didn’t actually contain any monetary demands, but police are treating this as an extortion case anyway. Another strange clue: Nestled within the fake bomb was a USB memory stick, though there’s no word yet on what it contained.

I'm thinking that this terrorist (what else could you call him) considers himself a mastermind. He may be legitimately difficult to catch.

Anna35

Aug 5, 2011 8:25 PM CDT

If I had been attacked by a man who broke into my home and attached what I believed was a bomb around my neck, I certainly wouldn't want to eat a chocolate bar during the ordeal. I ceratinly wouldn't be volunteering hundreds of photos of myself in different poses to the media or giving exclusive photos of the inside of my mansion. In addition, up until today not one comment was made by the father about how he wants the supposed attacker caught for breaking into his home, nor has he said anything other than they want to return to their normal life. Instead, we have heard all about his company working as a CEO, the details of his company and how wealthy he is etc etc.... What does that have to do with the fact that his daughter just spent 10 hours with a bomb attached to her neck by an intruder who somehow managed to get past his home security. I find his reaction quite weird as a father. One moment he's collecting his newspaper out the front (after making no appeal the perpetrator is caught) and the next he is saying his daughter was so traumatised she couldn't eat a chocolate bar! Odd...the Police said they believe the extortionist was an attention seeker. Maybe Mr Pulver is the one who wants the attention....on his business, recognition for his job, knowledge by the public he is the wealthiest man in Australia. Days ago I had no knowledge of the Pulver family. Now, his name and personal details are known worldwide.....I'm skeptical

Anna35

Aug 5, 2011 8:13 PM CDT

Something just doesn't add up regarding this entire fake bomb situation. It's the kind of prank I'd expect from a teenager whose been watching too many horror movies. A USB was included inside the device with an exact copy of the same ransom note attached to the outside of the device ( was that just in case the Police didn't notice the first note?). How did this man even get into the house of the wealthiest businessman in Australia - someone I would assume would have the very best security system. I find the family's reactions and statements quite odd. One minute they are requesting privacy and eager to return to normal life, Maddie is okay, yet they are giving hundreds of photos of their daughter, Madeleine to the media and keeping their lights on inside their house at night so the media has full view of the house layout. Now Mr Pulver is saying Maddie was so traumatised she couldn't even eat a chocolate bar while the Police were trying to get the bomb off her neck. I find that a really strange thing to do.